March 15 is the Early-Bird Application Deadline for the Summer Writing Institute at Antioch University Santa Barbara

Antioch University Santa Barbara’s (AUSB) new Summer Writing Institute (SWI), July 28 to August 3, 2013, is accepting priority applications from prospective students until the early-bird deadline this Friday, March 15. Writers of all experience levels who are interested in fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, or writing for young people are encouraged to apply for this world-class program on the central California coast.

“We are delighted to have attracted some of the highest caliber writers in their fields as faculty for this weeklong intensive program,” says SWI director Marcia Meier. “As a result, our selection of workshops is both substantive and creative. SWI’s format gives writers the opportunity to get personalized, extensive feedback from a prestigious author. Early applicants who are accepted to the program will be more likely to get their first choice of workshops before they fill up.”

Meeting at the university’s beautiful campus in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara—known as the gorgeous “American Riviera”—participants will work with the same instructor daily in intimate groups of no more than 10 students, to learn and practice the qualities of exceptional writing in each genre. At the end of the week, students will come away with the ability to assess their own writing and the specific skills and techniques necessary to bring it to publishable level.

Among the Summer Writing Institute workshops are: Finding Your Voice, with novelist Gail Tsukiyama; Creating Worlds, with novelist Josh Conviser; Making Meaning from Your Memories, with memoirist Maureen Murdock; Developing Your Story Intuition with screenwriter Robin Swicord; Adapting for the Screen, with John Pielmeier; and Writing YA from the Inside Out, with Jennifer Bosworth.

Besides the daily workshop intensives, there will be networking activities, evening readings by distinguished authors, and two afternoon panels: “How to Get Published” and “Breaking Into New Genres,” that will give participants a keen awareness of today’s publishing industry and the opportunities it affords.

A first night reception with dinner, continental breakfast each morning and a closing luncheon are included in the $975 program cost. After March 15, the non-refundable application fee will increase from $75 to $100 through the final April 27 deadline. Application fees will be applied to tuition for accepted participants. Space is limited to only 120 participants.

For a complete list of workshops, faculty profiles, program schedule, and application details, visit www.antiochsb.edu/swi.

About AUSB:

Antioch University provides learner-centered education to empower thousands of students worldwide with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful lives and to advance social, economic, and environmental justice. Antioch University Santa Barbara, founded in 1977 as one of five nationwide locations—including Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; New England (Keene, NH); and Midwest (Yellow Springs, OH)—provides both graduate degrees and bachelor’s completion programs at its thriving downtown campus. AUSB’s unique curriculum draws students from throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, South America, and Europe. Antioch University is a nonprofit, private, 501(c)3 organization and member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To learn more, visit www.antiochsb.edu.